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Office Diggs...Re-Working A New Approach To Office Culture

Audu Real Estate Office A recent story in the latest edition of the Realtor magazine had an interesting story about Ronald Stewart, broker-owner of 1st Choice Real Estate in New Hartford, New York. Stewart is pioneering an emerging New dynamic in which forward thinking Real Estate Brokers are making office space in their brokerages not only inviting place to meet & greet but also resource "hot spots" for their communities!

It makes so much sense. Real Estate purchases impact affect everything! They channel new business into area stores and businesses. A home sale impact the schools and places of worship. Why not invite the community to meet at your place instead of somewhere else? After all, with more agents working at home, many brokers have vacant office space which can be rented out to other businesses or re-modelled and used in a different way.

For 1st Choice Real Estate this has included creating an office cafe bar where patrons can nibble on freshly baked doughnuts or cookies, a Kids Play Corner with games and hand-me-down Nintendo video games and an area in which adults can relax in plush living room like chairs while accessing area information.

With the age of the Internet, many Brokers are skimping when it comes to creating inviting spaces for clients to meet. Stewart thinks this may be a mistake. I agree. According to Stewart, "Expecting Internet traffic alone to drive sales ignores a huge opportunity for differentiating your business...People want personal touches."

This year, Audu Real Estate moved into a new office space. The single most frequent comment we hear when clients and visitors enter our office is..."This is really nice." The office is decorated with a contemporary style nautical theme. Relaxing classical music plays softly in the background. Clients are served tea or coffee from real china, not Styrofoam cups. They have their choice of flavors of hot or cold drinks. The office is wired for Internet access throughout so agents can meet with their clients in a variety of different areas.

Since we posted it, this video of our office has received more hits than any of our other real estate shows. Agents, clients and visitors are always Welcome to stop by and pick up a cup of coffee or treat themselves to the popular cluster of mints which are enjoyed by those using the conference room!

Click Here to Read More about Grand Rapids, Michigan

Lola Audu, CRS, GRI e-Pro ~ Audu Real Estate

Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.

Posted by Lola Audu~Real Estate Broker/Owner Grand Rapids, Michigan Real Estate on 12/28/2007 06:11 PM

Comments (75)

real estate agent, real estate broker, real estate, audu real estate

Originally posted at: Inspired Real Estate For Today: Office Diggs...Re-Working A New Approach To Office Culture

This post has been included in Michigan Information Kent County, MI Information Grand Rapids, MI Information

75 Comments on Office Diggs...Re-Working A New Approach To Office Culture

DEC

2007

Lola, Sounds very nice... and inviting. Please keep us posted as to client feedback. Hope your Holidays are the best ever !

Hi Bill, Wishing you the Best for 2008 as well. Hope you have good success at the Open House. It looks like a very nice home.

Lola, this reminds me a bit of the SOMA Living business model of the late 1990's in San Francisco. It was for buyers only (which I think is why it didn't succeed) but the office was terribly inviting....kiosks for learning about real estate, sofas surrounded by magazines about architecture and interior design. It was an interactive experience in a very low-key and inviting atmosphere. I'm interested to hear more about your efforts as well as those you mentioned!

Diane, Thanks for your comment. Most real estate offices have shrunk their reception areas and conference rooms. Sometimes the effect is more "institutional" than warm. I wanted a very different effect in for our company. We chose colors in the sage family to promote calm and used the theme of water and boats throughout the space...including using reed grasses instead of traditional floral arrangements. We have received numerous compliments. People feel comfortable. In my opinion...anything you can do to make the real estate process less stressful is worth the effort.

I was just discussing this topic with people in my office. Wireless allows us to do so much.

Hi Sherry, Are you referring to agents working out of home offices or wireless connections which allow meetings in multiple locations?

Lola, Since I am thinking about how I'm going to operate this coming year, I really appreciate this post. It is a good idea.

Bill Roberts

When you have almost 200 agents in an office and desks stacked 2-3 in a room the size of my walk-in closet, how do you create inviting spaces? Our local office has a couple of offices we can use for client consults but those are booked, and there is definitely nothing personal in there to give the client a sense of comfort. I totally agree with you by the way.

Hi Bill, Thanks for your comment. There are a number of ways we can make our real estate offices more inviting...creating more comfortable environments and thinking "outside the box" in terms of who else might benefit by sharing our space.

Chris...Interesting. What you are describing sounds almost claustrophobic. Appreciate your stopping by to read and share your experience.

very nice

Thank You Susan.

great post Lola! Our office has conference rooms designed to appeal to different personality types. I am going to ask my broker if he has a video of it, so I can share it here.

Lola,

Congratulations on your beautiful new office! Things look wonderful, your accessories are a nice touch, inviting yet professional.

I read the same article you referred to in the magazine. Four years ago I moved my office (after 15 years in the same spot) to a new location in my city. I also made some positive changes, yet I would do some things differently today, four years later. Cluster spaces for agents for example, as opposed to larger individual areas. Most spend very little time in the office, they do work from home.

We have a welcome board in our lobby area that welcomes those scheduled, also small signs that announce what drinks are available, in addition to a few other small touches.

Sean, That sounds intriguing. Would love to see the video if your broker gives permission to post it. Feel free to link it here if you'd like.

Lynda, the industry is changing as more agents work from home. What I appreciated most about the article was the suggestions regarding how to use space in a way that benefits the larger community and also the emphasis on more warmth and creative design in client and agent spaces. This does not have to be expensive...just takes some creativity. Thanks for sharing your insights Lynda.

I like your office set up Lola and the virtual tour was neat. Reminds me of our office in a way.

I love the office! One of my friends has an office and each month she has a different art exhibit -- the public is invited! It is a great way to get exposure! I love these new ideas.

Hi Monika, It does...A while ago, I remember watching a video of your new training center and thinking how much we seem to have the same taste.

Joan, What a fantastic idea! That is a great example of how real estate offices can creatively engage the public. I absolutely love the art show idea. Now...I've got to find a willing artist. :)

Hi Lola, I too read the recent article and had actually filed it away in my "good ideas" file for future use if I open a public office in the future (my office is currently in my home) Your office looks nice too. Amy

Hi Lola,

I love how inviting your office space is, yet very professional at the same time. :)

Great looking office, hope this concept works out well for you and those in your office

Bravo! Looks great, good for you for taking that "staging" leap. By the way, this is what staging is all about, appealing to the public, providing relaxing and enjoyable environment...gets people talking and interested, and buyers motivated.

Lola,

You are definitely thinking outside of the box. In this interesting time in real estate, we definitely need to be creative. You're on the right track!

Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.

Tommy New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY Nassau/Suffolk/Queens Home Inspections

Beautiful office space, Lola. You did a great job and the show was excellent. I wish you much success in 2008 as you grow your new company. The spirit and enviroment you have created looks like a great place to work.

Lola, my broker has been taking this approach in my company's new office at Dupont Circle here in DC. I think it's smart and can make a real estate office more than just a real estate office.

Wow, Lola! Wow! :)

Congratulations on your beautiful new offices. That is one serious accomplishment! I'll have to come up one of these days and visit!

Very nicely done Lola, the office space looks so inviting for customers and looks like very productive space for agents as well. Wishing you much success in 2008!

Would be nice to have an office like that.All the best and good success.

Great Space, that is what I want to get to here in Michigan City

Lola

I loved your blog. We had the same vision for the Mission Grove Realty office in Hemet. We continually get comments that we have the nicest office in the area. We too added wireless and a wonderfully warm envionment where clients enjoy visiting and agents love to work.

Well done
Graham Holmes

Amy, it's a great concept. I really liked being thinking about real estate offices as community resource centers...not simply places where you go to find homes to look at.

Suzanne, Appreciate your compliment. We love our office too. :)

Thanks Michael.

Julie, I agree. We often LIMIT staging to homes...It can do wonders for office space too.

Appreciate your comment Marla

Happy Holidays to You as well Tommy.

Thanks Missy. Best Wishes and Success to you and your Team in 2008!

Absolutely Patricia...and with a great location like the one you have in DC it might be worth exploring.

Hey Carol, You know you're Welcome ANYtime. Thanks for the compliment. :)

Appreciate your comment Lisa.

Thanks for stopping by Bob & Carolin.

Dave, that's a great goal. It's not about buying expensive things...it's about thinking differently about the kind of atmosphere you want to create in your office. Best Wishes for Great Success in 2008!

DEC

2007

Love the office video, Lola. What a great idea to post it on your company's site!

My broker was just talking about the same article you referred to, and she wants to do something like this as well, by expanding our current office space. I am going to forward her your post. Thanks!

Thats a great idea and it helps the image of realtors which is always a good thing

Your office looks like an inviting home. No sterility - warmness abounds! The show you put together was wonderful Lola.

Our office is a bit of a mix - formal entry and waiting area, yet there is a cafe area and a fully finished basement that can be used for meetings and gatherings.

Lola,

I think that is a great idea. Not so unusual though. I do think that many companies offer their space for community endeavors. At least, we do in Hilton Head.

Making our real estate offices more inviting is important. I like working out of the antique home that has been in my Broker's family for generations. This year the office was freshly painted & new carpeting added. Besides handling real estate from this location the office is also used for local speakers & as a drop spot for Christmas Drives & other fundraising activities. Happy New Year everyone!

Congratulations on your new location. Thanks for the great ideas for being more client-friendly.

Makes me want to take a trip up to see it.

Lola -

Often, we ignore obvious things in our business. In our rush to out-high-tech the other guys, we have to remember that people make their ultimate decision on who to work with based on a FEELING - of confidence, of competence, of comfort.

This is a fantastic concept - it compels the public to think of your company as a RESOURCE to the community, not simply just another real estate office.

If you're in Chicago, drop over anytime. Would love to talk with you further on this.

Happy New Year!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

I agree totally - the office should be a nice inviting place for clients and business associates to gather in!

I definitely agree with you on this one! Your office absolutely MUST be a vast place of resources!

I was reading something the other day on this.... They likened it to an Apple store that people flock to and that we should be thinking about the same kind of traffic into a real estate office. How about a Starbucks with kiosks to look for your next home? Desk duty would be something we'd all fight over then!

You do have to make it client/customer friendly when it comes to business. It's the wave of the future.

That is a refreshing idea and a good one. Sometimes we get caught up in the things that are not so important to our clients.

Lola - Great office! Our office is kind of similar. On the west coast, Windermere does a great job of putting together well designed offices. Seriously, you should see the bathroom. We have every time of moisturizer and cream you could image for clients to use.

Lola - You've given me some great ideas, and your timing just couldn't be better. I am hoping someday to open my own office and you've given me inspiration!

Interesting concept, Lola. I agree with the notion that the current trend towards less physical hospitality for the client and customer is the wrong path. Our office was remodeled within the last year, and we have always had the best support staff (specifically our receptionists) in the area. When things got difficult for many agents this past year, some started looking around at alternatives. Primarily, lower cost 100% brokerage models. The common theme that some of these agents reported back was a lack of a physical main office, support staff and other client-friendly necessities. I ascribe to the belief that when others provide less, it is time to provide even more. Kudos to Ronald Stewart for ramping up rather than winding down.

Very interesting post. It's nice having an comfortable and interesting office. I work for a company that puts emphasis on the office - how it looks and feels - we are lucky that our companies invest some thought and expense in our offices.

Thank you Graham, It's nice to see other offices across the country embracing some of the concepts Stewart refers to.

Great Marlene! I know that your clients will appreciate these types of changes.

Absolutely Ki. Thanks for stopping by.

Kris, sounds like a winning combination.

Diane, That's great. It's not the norm over here. But even creating a more inviting space just for clients is a WIN too.

Peter, it sounds like your broker totally understands these concepts and is utilizing them effectively Your office must be a very pleasant place to work. Thanks for sharing what you are doing in your area.

Kevin...All are Welcome Anytime! :)

Hi Dean, Thanks so much for stopping by to read and comment and the kind invitation. It is so true that sometimes we focus on technology and efficiency so much that we miss the important fact that there are many intangible things that computers simply cannot do. Human beings crave the human touch, compassion and aesthetic qualities. Attention to these types of details are really appreciated by those whom we serve.

Michael, Thank You. Our resources are vast...we offer people more than simply a place to write up a contract. We offer support, counsel, genuine concern, attention to the details, feed-back, follow-up, follow through and intelligent solutions. This Value goes far beyond the physical qualities in an office.

Emily, Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

Robert, You're right...a friendly, inviting setting can make a big difference.

Josette...Absolutely love it! Real Estate offices can become Attractive Destination Points in themselves. WE don't have to take out a kiosk in the mall...instead we can create spaces where people want to come to. Totally cool...

Al, You're right. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.

Ryan...sounds like my type of place. :)

Debbie...Great! Best Wishes for a Success-Filled 2008 as you move towards fulfilling your dreams.

Paul, Brokers are dealing with pressures due to the increased cost of doing business and sometimes less revenue. These are real financial constraints. However, what I found most intriguing about Stewarts' approach was that it does not necessarily require a huge investment of capital.

Inviting area business to utilize unused space for their meetings or for after hour events will certainly generate goodwill and contacts and perhaps even some business. Redecorating with paint, carpet and nice pictures does not necessarily need to cost a fortune. But, if people feel more comfortable, the investment will pay dividends over time. Thanks for stopping by to share your insights.

Judi, You are fortunate. Thanks for stopping by to read and share your personal experience.

That was a good article and I hope you do well in your new office. It makes sense for real estate offices need to be warm and inviting. People hanging around further attracts a crowd and is good for word of mouth.

DEC

2007

Sounds so inviting. I'm glad to hear you play soothing classical music. Some offices play a brand of contemporary rock music that sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard to many people.

I love what you are doing. I was just discussing this at my office. The conference room is very institutional without even a painting on the walls. Not very inviting. I suggested a bowl of chocolates on the table as a start.

I love what you are doing. I wa sjust discussing this at my office. The conference room is very institutional without even a painting on the walls. Not very inviting. I suggested a bowl of chocolates on the table as a start.

DEC

2007

I think its a great idea to turn the office into a cafe. I considered when I would need to take space to grow my team, I would look first to purchase an older home zoned commercial. My parent brokerage tried this and it hasn't worked well only because we've been open for a year and have run out of space with close to 80 agents working from 3,000 sq. ft. We've done things to make it seem more inviting like decorating it for Christmas and hosting events like kids day mini carinvals in the spring.

My only concern is losing the balance of creating a homey environment and spending money that could go back to the agents in a profit sharing program.

JAN

2008

Looks nice! Our office is being remodeled right now, I hope it looks as nice as yours!

Hi Jonathan, Thanks for your comment & Best Wishes as you continue to grow in 2008! This type of improvement should make money in the long run by providing an attractive, inviting place for your agents to work and bring their clients and serving as a resource for your community...which will provide leads to your agency as they become more familiar with your services.

Thank you Christina!

JAN

2008

Lola, Congratulations... I love the idea of a "non" traditional office. Warm and inviting will win every time.

JAN

2008

Lovely, just lovely. I think it is warm and inviting for both agents and clients! A home run!

JAN

2008

Lola - what a nice looking office you have! I like the idea of inviting the community in! Great blog!

JAN

2008

I love this idea ,great office

JAN

2008

Great idea for a "third place". I've been advocating the same thing for our office - and also recommended it for a branch office for a private bank. Congratulations on your new office and on your successful ideas.

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